U.S. patent number 7,862,369 [Application Number 12/622,505] was granted by the patent office on 2011-01-04 for backshell coupling for an electrical component.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Amphenol Socapex S.A.. Invention is credited to Jean-Paul Gimenes, Laurent Lagrange.
United States Patent |
7,862,369 |
Gimenes , et al. |
January 4, 2011 |
Backshell coupling for an electrical component
Abstract
The invention relates to a backshell coupling for connecting an
electrical cable to an electrical component, the coupling
comprising a first part having a cylindrical sleeve suitable for
passing the cable, the sleeve having an end provided with a first
pair of arms; and a second part having guide means for said cable
and a second pair of arms, the free ends of the first arms facing
the ends of the second arms, with one of the pairs of ends being
disposed between the other pair of ends; means defining a pivot
axis between the pairs of arms, the facing faces of said ends being
provided with portions in relief for defining a plurality of
relative angular positions between the two parts, the arms having
their ends disposed between the ends of the other arms being
elastically deformable; and means for temporarily deforming the
arms.
Inventors: |
Gimenes; Jean-Paul (Scionzier,
FR), Lagrange; Laurent (Bonneville, FR) |
Assignee: |
Amphenol Socapex S.A. (Paris,
FR)
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Family
ID: |
40626958 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/622,505 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100124837 A1 |
May 20, 2010 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 20, 2008 [FR] |
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08 57899 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/446;
439/470 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
35/04 (20130101); H01R 13/5812 (20130101); H01R
13/5841 (20130101); H01R 13/567 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/56 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/446,470 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
French Search Report, Mar. 18, 2009. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Paumen; Gary F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Blank Rome LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A backshell coupling for connecting an electrical cable to an
electrical component, the coupling comprising: a first hinged part
comprising a cylindrical sleeve suitable for passing the cable, the
sleeve having a first end for coupling to said electrical component
and a second end, the first part having a first pair of arms that
are substantially parallel to each other and that extend from said
second end of the sleeve; a second part having guide means for
guiding said cable and a second pair of arms secured to said guide
means, said arms being substantially parallel to each other, the
free ends of the arms of the first pair facing the ends of the arms
of the second pair, one of said pairs of ends being disposed
between the other pair of ends; and means defining a pivot axis for
one pair of arms to pivot relative to the other, and co-operating
with the ends of the pairs of arms, the facing faces of said ends
being provided with portions in relief for defining a plurality of
relative angular positions for the two parts, the arms having their
ends disposed between the ends of the other arms being elastically
deformable; and means for temporarily causing the deformable arms
to deform so as to enable the parts to pass from one angular
position to another angular position.
2. A backshell coupling according to claim 1, wherein the means
defining the pivot axis and the means for causing temporary
deformation of a pair of arms are the same means.
3. A backshell coupling according to claim 1, wherein the ends of
the second pair of arms are disposed between the ends of said first
pair of arms.
4. A backshell coupling according to claim 3, wherein the means
defining a pivot axis and the means for causing the arms to deform
comprise two pushers, each pusher comprising a cylindrical body
connected to a cylindrical head, each head being disposed between
the facing faces of the ends of one arm in each pair, said body
passing freely through the end of the arm of the first pair of arms
via a circular orifice centered on said pivot axis and having a
portion outside said end enabling thrust to be exerted on said end,
said head penetrating into a blind hole formed in the end of the
arm of the second pair of arms, said blind hole being centered on
said pivot axis.
5. A backshell coupling according to claim 4, wherein said head of
each pusher has a diameter greater than the diameter of the body,
said circular orifice having a diameter that is slightly greater
than the diameter of said body and the blind hole having a diameter
that is slightly greater than that of said head, whereby said head
is held between the ends of said arms.
6. A backshell coupling according to claim 1, wherein said portions
in relief extend radially relative to said pivot axis.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a backshell coupling for an
electrical component.
A backshell coupling is a mechanical device that is designed to be
fastened to the back of an electrical component, and particularly
but not exclusively of an electrical connector. The function of the
backshell coupling is either to provide a mechanical connection
between the body of the electrical component and the cable
connected thereto or more usually connected to the electrical
connector, or else additionally to provide the electrical cable,
particularly when it presents a degree of rigidity, with an
orientation that is well determined and that can be varied relative
to the axis of the electrical component, and in particular the axis
of the electrical connector.
The invention relates to the second type of backshell coupling that
further enables the electrical cable associated with the electrical
component to be given a predetermined adjustable orientation
relative to the axis of the electrical component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,519 describes such a backshell coupling that
enables an adjustable predetermined orientation to be given to an
electrical component connected to an electrical connector.
The backshell coupling described in that document is essentially
constituted by two parts. The first part is designed to be
mechanically coupled to the electrical component and is extended by
two parallel arms that have pivotally mounted thereon two likewise
parallel arms with second ends that are secured to the cable that
is connected to the electrical component. This defines a
possibility for pivoting between the axis of the electrical
component and the cable. In order to define the direction of the
cable relative to the axis of the electrical component, various
mechanical means are proposed. Under all circumstances, those
mechanical means require a user who is adjusting the direction of
the cable relative to the axis of the electrical component to
proceed at least with operations of loosening and tightening screw
fastener means.
It will be understood that given the nature of those operations, it
is not possible for a single operator both to hold the angle that
is desired between the electrical component and the cable and also
to perform said operations, in particular tightening, so as to
define the direction of the cable at the outlet from the electrical
component in a manner that is stable.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a backshell
coupling for an electrical component in which the direction of the
cable associated with the electrical component is adjusted relative
to the axis of the component in a manner that is simpler, thereby
enabling a single operator to perform the entire operation.
The invention concerns a backshell coupling for connecting an
electrical cable to an electrical component, the coupling
comprising: a first hinged part comprising a cylindrical sleeve
suitable for passing the cable, the sleeve having a first end for
coupling to said electrical component and a second end, the first
part having a first pair of arms that are substantially parallel to
each other and that extend from said second end of the sleeve; a
second part having guide means for guiding said cable and a second
pair of arms secured to said guide means, said arms being
substantially parallel to each other, the free ends of the arms of
the first pair facing the ends of the arms of the second pair, one
of said pairs of ends being disposed between the other pair of
ends; and means defining a pivot axis for one pair of arms to pivot
relative to the other, and co-operating with the ends of the pairs
of arms, the facing faces of said ends being provided with portions
in relief for defining a plurality of relative angular positions
for the two parts, the arms having their ends disposed between the
ends of the other arms being elastically deformable; and means for
temporarily causing the deformable arms to deform so as to enable
the parts to pass from one angular position to another angular
position.
It will be understood that using this backshell coupling and thus
modifying the angle between the two parts is very simple since it
suffices to act on the means that enable one of the pairs of arms
to be deformed temporarily, thereby decoupling the portions in
relief that serve to define the predetermined angular
positions.
Preferably, the means defining the pivot axis and the means for
causing temporary deformation of a pair of arms are the same
means.
In a preferred embodiment, the means defining a pivot axis and the
means for causing the arms to deform comprise two pushers, each
pusher comprising a cylindrical body connected to a cylindrical
head, each head being disposed between the facing faces of the ends
of one arm in each pair, said body passing freely through the end
of the arm of the first pair of arms via a circular orifice
centered on said pivot axis and having a portion outside said end
enabling thrust to be exerted on said end, said head penetrating
into a blind hole formed in the end of the arm of the second pair
of arms, said blind hole being centered on said pivot axis.
It will be understood that in this embodiment, it suffices to press
simultaneously on the outside portions of the two pushers to deform
the arms of the inner pair of arms elastically, thereby decoupling
the portions in relief formed at the facing faces of the ends of
the pairs of arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear better
on reading the following description of embodiments of the
invention given as non-limiting examples. The description refers to
the accompanying figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of the backshell
coupling;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the backshell coupling mounted in a
position enabling an angle of 90.degree. to be used between the
axis of the electrical component and the direction of the
electrical cable;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view on plane B-B of FIG. 2; and
FIGS. 4A to 4C show different possible orientations of the cable
relative to the electrical component.
MOST DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, there follows a
description of a preferred embodiment of the backshell coupling of
the invention.
The backshell coupling given overall reference 10 is constituted
essentially by a first part 12, a second part 14, and means 16
forming a hinge axis between the two parts and enabling the two
parts 12 and 14 to be oriented relative to each other.
The first part 12 comprises a sleeve 18 with an end 18a that serves
for coupling with an electrical component (not shown in the figure)
and with a second end 18b that is provided with two parallel arms
20 and 22 that extend in the direction XX' of the axis of the
sleeve-shaped portion 18. As can be understood, this axis XX' is
also the axis of the electrical component with which the backshell
coupling 10 is associated. The arms 20 and 22 have free ends 20a
and 22a each provided with respective cylindrical orifices 24 and
26 lying on the pivot axis ZZ' between the parts 12 and 14. On
their inside faces 22b and 20b, the ends 20a and 22a of the arms 20
and 22 are provided with portions 28 in relief that are radiating
or radial relative to the axis ZZ'. As explained below, the
portions in relief 28 constitute part of the means enabling the
relative angle between the parts 12 and 14 to be determined.
Consideration is now given to the second part 14, which is of
similar structure and is constituted by a cylindrical sleeve 30
having one end 30a fitted with two arms 32 and 34 that are mutually
parallel and also parallel to the axis YY' of the sleeve 30. The
arms 32 and 34 present respective ends 32a and 34a. The outside
faces 32b and 34b of the ends 32a and 34a are provided with blind
holes 40 on a common axis that coincides with the axis ZZ' when the
parts 12 and 14 are assembled together. It should be specified that
the pivot axis between the two parts 12 and 14 and referenced ZZ'
is naturally orthogonal to the longitudinal axes XX' and YY'
respectively of the parts 12 and 14. The outside faces 32b and 34b
of the ends of the arms 32 and 34 are also provided with portions
in relief 38 that radiate relative to the axis ZZ' of the blind
holes 40. These portions in relief 38 are designed to co-operate
with the portions in relief 28 of the arms 22 and 24 in order to
define a plurality of angular positions for the part 12 relative to
the part 14 about the pivot axis ZZ'.
With reference more particularly to FIG. 3, there follows a
description of how the pivot axis ZZ' between the parts 12 and 14
is implemented and how the means for enabling the parts 12 and 14
to pass from one angular position to another are implemented.
These means 16 are constituted by two pushers 44 and 46 of
generally cylindrical shape. Each pusher 44, 46 comprises a body
44a, 46a and a head 44b, 46b. The body of each pusher has an
outside diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the
orifices 24 and 26 formed in the ends of the arms 20 and 22. When
the parts are assembled together, the ends 32a and 34a of the arms
32 and 34 are inserted between the ends of the arms 20 and 22, as
can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3. The heads 46b and 44b of the
pushers 44 and 46 are of diameter greater than the diameter of
their respective bodies 44a and 46a and slightly smaller than the
diameter of the blind holes 42 that are formed in the ends of the
arms 32 and 34. Because the pusher head pushers 44b and 46b are of
larger diameter, the pushers are held captive between the ends of
the arms 20 & 32 and 22 & 34, and the pushers themselves
can move in translation in the orifices 24 and 26. The material and
the dimensions of the arms 32 and 34 are such as to enable them to
be deformed temporarily in bending so that their ends 32a and 34a
move towards each other. It will be understood that once the
pushers 44 and 46 are engaged both in the orifices 24 and 26 of the
arms 40 and 22 and in the blind holes 42 of the arms 32 and 34,
they define a pivot axis ZZ'. Furthermore, by pressing against the
outer ends 46c and 44c of the pushers, the user can cause the arms
32 and 34 to bend so that their ends move towards each other,
thereby enabling the portions in relief 38 to move out from the
portions in relief 28 formed in the ends of the arms 20 and 22.
While the user continuous to exert pressure on the ends 44c and 46c
of the pushers, the user can cause the part 14 to pivot freely
relative to the part 12 about the axis ZZ' until these parts occupy
a relative position associated with the desired angle. When this
position is reached, the pressure exerted on the pushers 44 and 46
is released, and the portions in relief 28 and 42 re-engage in the
desired angular position.
As can be understood, an electrical cable (not shown) is placed
inside the sleeves 18 and 30 of the parts 12 and 14 of the
backshell coupling 10. The end of the cable mounted in the part 12
is for coupling to the electrical component mounted at the end 18a
of the sleeve 18. In contrast, the sleeve 30 of the part 14 serves
to guide the direction of the cable, which direction is imposed by
the relative angular position of the parts 12 and 14.
It can be understood that the general structure of the backshell
coupling of the invention is very simple, since it requires only
two pairs of parallel arms with two pushers inserted between the
ends thereof, the pushers being suitable for being actuated from
the outside so as to allow the part 14 to pivot relative to the
part 12. Use is thus extremely simple, since it suffices for the
user to exert pressure on the ends 44c and 46c of the pushers in
order to release the parts 12 and 14 angularly, and thus give the
desired orientation to the cable at the outlet the electrical
component to which it is connected.
FIGS. 4A to 4C show a variant embodiment of the backshell coupling
10' in three possible angular positions in which the two parts 12
and 14' are respectively in alignment (FIG. 4A), form between them
an angle of 45 degrees (FIG. 4B), and form them between a angle of
90 degrees (FIG. 4C). In this variant embodiment, the only
modification relates to the second part 14, which is given the
reference 14'. In this embodiment, the sleeve 30 has a second end
30b that is extended by two arms 60 and 62 that are parallel to
each other and to the axis YY' of the part 14'. The ends 60a and
62a of these arms are designed to receive the ends of two clamping
collars 64 and 66 that are designed to clamp mechanically against
the cable between the arms 60 and 62. This provides a better
mechanical connection between the cable and the part 14', and thus
a better mechanical connection between the body of the electrical
component connected to the part 12 and the electrical cable
itself.
In the above description, the portions in relief made at the ends
of the two pairs of arms are in a radiating configuration and they
constitute the equivalent of a jaw clutch having different angular
orientations. Naturally, the means for defining the different
angular positions that can be occupied by the parts 12 and 14 or 12
or 14' could be of some other kind on condition that, when the arms
32 and 34 are at rest, the portions in relief co-operate with one
another, and when pressure is exerted on the ends of the arms via
the pushers 44 and 46, the deformation thereof enables the portions
in relief provided at the end of the pairs of arms to be
disengaged.
* * * * *